We've reported extensively on <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-walled-skyscraper-complex-makes-waves-in-kazahkistan/">green vertical towers </a>that integrate plant life into their facade, but unlike many of those designs, here's one that goes beyond being a mere concept. Designed by Boeri Studio (<a href="http://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/?p=207">Stefano Boeri</a>, <a href="http://www.barrecaelavarra.it/page/architectures/project/bosco-verticale">Gianandrea Barreca and Giovanni La Varra</a>), <a href="http://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/?p=207">Bosco Verticale</a> is a towering 27-story structure, currently under construction in Milan, Italy. Once complete, the tower will be home to the world's first vertical forest.

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Bosco Verticale

The Bosco Verticale is a system that optimizes, recuperates, and produces energy. Covered in plant life, the building aids in balancing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microclimate">microclimate </a>and in filtering the dust particles contained in the urban environment (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15230753">Milan</a> is one of the most polluted cities in Europe).

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Bosco Verticale

The diversity of the plants and their characteristics produce humidity, absorb CO2 and dust particles, producing oxygen and protect the building from radiation and acoustic pollution. This not only improves the quality of living spaces, but gives way to dramatic energy savings year round.

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Bosco Verticale

Each apartment in the building will have a balcony planted with trees that are able to respond to the city's weather -- shade will be provided within the summer, while also filtering city pollution; and in the winter the bare trees will allow sunlight to permeate through the spaces.

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Bosco Verticale

Plant irrigation will be supported through the filtering and reuse of the grey water produced by the building. Additionally, Aeolian and photovoltaic energy systems will further promote the tower's self-sufficiency.

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Bosco Verticale

The design of the Bosco Verticale is a response to both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_sprawl">urban sprawl </a>and the disappearance of nature from our lives and on the landscape.

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Bosco Verticale

The architect notes that if the units were to be constructed unstacked as stand-alone units across a single surface, the project would require 50,000 sq meters of land, and 10,000 sq meters of woodland. Bosco Verticale is the first offer in his proposed<a href="http://www.boeristudio.it/?p=2128"> BioMilano</a>, which envisions a green belt created around the city to incorporate 60 abandoned farms on the outskirts of the city to be revitalized for community use.